TIPS FOR DEALING WITH UNUSUAL
SITUATIONS DURING A PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
by Jim Hanson and Diana Thompson

Although
Parli is considered a spontaneous event, being prepared for anything helps you
handle the unexpected. Listed are some bizarre situations and suggestions on
how to handle each circumstance. Each is only a suggestion. You may have a
better strategy. J

1. Someone stands up for a Point of Information and
refuses to sit down even after the Speaker says "No Thank You."

oTry a nice heckle, "If you listen
better standing up, you are more than welcome to stand . . ."

2.
During a speech, the speaker’s colleague hands the speaker a note.

oConsider coughing, stand up for a Point of
Information (NOT a point of order) to encourage the judge to look up and notice
what is going on.

3. A
judge heckles a competitor from the other team.

oDo not join in, it could happen to you.

oSmile, chuckle.

oTake note that the judge does not like
that argument and use it to your advantage. For example, in the next speech “My
opponent argued that xxx (the argument the judge heckled). This is obviously
not a good argument.” Don’t overdo this though as your judge might see an
overkill.

4.
Your judge asks a Point of Information.

oTake it – if she or he is confused,
clarify the argument.

oWatch out for malicious judges who try to
throw you off.

a. Don’t let it bother you. Relax--getting nervous
and defensive isn’t going to help. Think of the judge’s question positively--as
an opportunity to further bolster your case rather than as an attack. If you
need to, take a breath and then go with your answer.
b. Maintain your position and try to address the argument that the judge is
raising.
c. Sometimes, making jokes (respectful of the judge) are helpful here.

5. A
member of your audience raises for a Point of Information.

oRemember, an audience member can not win
the round.

oThis could start a nasty trend, you do not
want to debate your entire audience.

oBe nice about it, say "not at this
time." Avoid antagonizing the crowd.

oAnother way to do this is to say “I’ll be
taking three questions. If the opposition has no problem with this, I will take
your question as one of the three.”

6.
Someone is taking too long to ask a question (more than 15 seconds).

oCut them off politely – "I believe I
understand what you are saying, here is my response . . ."

oAt 15 seconds, state “NPDA rules limit the
time you can take from my speech for asking a question. Here’s my response to what
you have said . . .”

oOvertly look at your watch.

oNEVER let someone ask for more than 20
seconds. This kills your speaking time otherwise.

7.
Someone "Shames" you.

oTurn the heckle around. For example,
someone shamed your appeal about dying babies (an obvious ploy to tug at the
judge’s heartstrings). Repeat the "shame" in your response:
"Yes, it is a SHAME children are dying of starvation because…"

oDo not get dragged into a
"shame-war." If you are repeatedly heckled, put a shame down once,
effectively, to show you are in control and ignore the rest (the
"shamer" will end up looking like a jerk).

oDO NOT LET HECKLING BOTHER YOU. Practice
speaking with people heckling, booing, hissing, and shaming you while you
ignore them and keep arguing.

8. A
member of the opposition is heckling you and refuses to shut up.

oHeckle them about respect.
"Sir/Madame, I respected your time to speak, I know you want to respect
mine."

oIf the heckling continues but it is not
too loud, just persevere--the judge will almost definitely feel sympathetic
with you.

oIf the heckling is so loud and won’t stop,
request that the judge halt the heckling.

9.
What to argue if you hit an Example Case - a case with a list of examples to
prove the resolution true.

Ex: This house believes all is fair in
love and war.

Lists
8 examples.

How
to Counter

1.Determine
the points behind the examples. Discuss how the examples do not support the
resolution.

2.After
explaining the theory, disprove their point and provide your own.

10.
What to argue if hit an “Incoherent” Case – a bunch of rambling statements
without any rhyme or reason. It just does not make any sense.

How
to Counter:

1.Ask
leading questions - "and this applies to the resolution how…"

2.In
your speech, explain why their points are confused (if you are befuddled, odds
are your judge is just as confused as you).

3.Be
NICE - do not be a jerk, the other team may be doing their best. The last thing
you want to do is make someone cry!!

4.Spend
time evaluating the resolution and burdens (what does each side have to prove
to win). Be very clear!

5.Explain
the Burden of Proof of the Government Team – the Gov. must provide reasons to
uphold the resolution, failure to do so renders an Opposition ballot.

6.Present
arguments separate from responses to the government case as to why you win the
round.